Electronic device carrying case with a foot strap

ABSTRACT

A carrying case for enclosing an electronic device for use by a user. The carrying case includes a compartment flap and a cover flap that is hingedly coupled to the compartment flap. The carrying case further includes a device retainer attached to the cover flap to retain the electronic device. The carrying case further includes a foot strap attached to the compartment flap. The foot strap includes a loop portion positionable about a foot of the user for retaining the electronic device upon an upper leg of the user when in a backward lying position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to a carrying case for anelectronic device, and more particularly to a carrying case thatincludes a foot strap for positioning an electronic device at an upperleg of a use while in a backward lying position.

2. Background

Utilization of portable electronic devices is ever increasinglydesirable to society. Such portability may be measured in various terms.For example, portability may be measured with reference to a reductionin size or weight, having a self-contained power source (batterypowered, solar powered, etc.), and/or wireless communicationsconnectivity.

Electronic devices commonly include a device main section and a displaysection. The device main section typically contains controls that allowthe user to interact with the electronic device. The display sectionwould contain a screen or other viewing output portion. For example,various electronic devices may include such devices as a laptopcomputer, a video gaming counsel, video player, or personal electronicorganizer. In the case of a lap top computer, the device main sectionmay include a keyboard of the laptop computer and the display sectionmay include a display screen.

With portability comes the ability of users to interact with theirelectronic devices in a variety of contexts. For example, it may bedesirable to operate an electronic device while in a backward lyingposition. The motivation of the user to operate such device while insuch a position may simply be due to the user opting for an alternatecomfortable position or due to medical necessity or practicality. Assuch, there is a need in the art for an apparatus of use with anelectronic device to support a configuration of the electronic device tobe interacted with while the user is in a backward lying position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a carryingcase for enclosing an electronic device for use by a user. Theelectronic device includes a device main section and a display section.The carrying case includes a compartment flap including a first distalend, an opposing first interior end, a first inside surface disposedbetween the first distal end and the first interior end, and a firstoutside surface disposed opposite the first inside surface. The carryingcase further includes a cover flap including a second distal end, anopposing second interior end, a second inside surface disposed betweenthe second distal end and the second interior end, and a second outsidesurface disposed opposite the second inside surface. The cover flap ishingedly coupled to the compartment flap with the first interior endadjacent the second interior end. The carrying case further includes adevice retainer attached to the cover flap. The device retainer is sizedand configured to retain the device main section at the second insidesurface with the device main section between the second distal end andthe display section. The carrying case further includes a foot strapattached to the first distal end of the compartment flap. The foot strapincludes a loop portion. The foot strap is sized with the loop portionabout a foot of the user to position the first outside surface of thecompartment flap upon a lower leg of the user and the second outsidesurface of the cover flap upon an upper leg of the user with the upperleg bent in relation to the lower leg of the user in a backward lyingposition.

According to various embodiments, the foot strap may further include afirst strap end attached to the first distal end. The foot strap mayfurther include a second strap end attached to the first distal end withthe loop portion being disposed between the first and second strap ends.The first strap end may include a first strap fastener and the firststrap fastener may be attached to the first distal end. The first strapfastener may be a clip. The foot strap may further include a main bodyportion disposed between the loop portion and the first strap end. Themain body portion may length adjustable. The compartment flap mayfurther include an end wall with the first distal end being disposed atthe end wall. The end wall may extend generally orthogonal to the firstinside surface and away from the first outside surface.

The first distal end may be attachable to the second distal end. In thisregard, the carrying case may include a zipper configured to attach thefirst distal end to the second distal end. The device retainer may be astrap. The compartment flap may further include a pair of side wallseach extending generally orthogonal to the first inside surface and awayfrom the first outside surface between the first interior end and thefirst distal end. The side walls may be disposed at opposite ends of thecompartment flap. The carrying case may further include a shoulder strapattached to and extending between the side walls adjacent the firstinterior end of the compartment flap. The carrying case may furtherinclude a spine disposed between the first interior end and the secondinterior end, and a handle attached to the spine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention isshown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrying case in accordance with anaspect of the present invention as shown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrying case in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 in a closedconfiguration as seen from another viewing angle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 as shownwith an electronic device as deployed with a user in a backward lyingposition;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carrying case of another embodiment asshown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carrying case of FIG. 5 along with afoot strap according to another aspect of the present invention as shownin an open configuration; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carrying case of FIG. 5 as shownwith the electronic device as deployed with the user in a backward lyingposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposesof illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention only,and not for the purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate acarrying case according to various aspects of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is depicted a carrying case 10. FIG. 1is a perspective view of the carrying case 10 in a closed configuration.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrying case 10 in an openposition. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrying case 10 fromanother viewing angle. FIG. 4 depicts the carrying 10 as shown with anelectronic device 30 with the carrying case positioned in relation to auser 20. In this regard, there is provided the carrying case 10 forenclosing the electronic device 30 for use by the user 20 in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

The electronic device 30 includes a device main section 32 and a displaysection 34. The carrying case 10 includes a compartment flap 12. Thecompartment flap 12 includes a first distal end 40, an opposing firstinterior end 42, a first inside surface 44 disposed between the firstdistal end 40 and the first interior end 42, and a first outside surface46 disposed opposite the first inside surface 44. The carrying case 10further includes a cover flap 14. The cover flap 14 includes a seconddistal end 48, an opposing second interior end 50, a second insidesurface 52 disposed between the second distal end 48 and the secondinterior end 50, and a second outside surface 54 disposed opposite thesecond inside surface 52. The cover flap 14 is hingedly coupled to thecompartment flap 12 with the first interior end 42 adjacent the secondinterior end 50.

As seen in FIG. 4, the carrying case 10 further includes a deviceretainer (such as either of device retainers 72 or 74) attached to thecover flap 14. The device retainer 72 and/or 74 are/is sized andconfigured to retain the device main section 32 at the second insidesurface 52 with the device main section 32 between the second distal end48 and the display section 34. The carrying case 10 further includes afoot strap 56 attached to the first distal end 40 of the compartmentflap 12. The foot strap 56 includes a loop portion 62. The foot strap 56is sized with the loop portion 62 about a foot 28 of the user 20 toposition the first outside surface 46 of the compartment flap 12 upon alower leg 26 of the user 20 and the second outside surface 54 of thecover flap 14 upon an upper leg 22 of the user 20 with the upper leg 22bent in relation to the lower leg 26 of the user 20 in a backward lyingposition, such as shown.

The electronic device 30 may be any number of electronic devices thatincludes a viewing output portion. For example, the electronic device 30may take the form as such devices as a laptop computer, a video gamingcounsel, video player, or personal electronic organizer. In the case ofa lap top computer, the device main section 32 may include a keyboard ofthe laptop computer and the display section 34 may include a displayscreen 36. Though not required, the device main section 32 may behingedly attached to the display section 34 with a hinge section 38disposed between the device main section 32 and the display section 34.

The carrying case 10 of the present invention is contemplated tofacilitate use of the electronic device 30 by the user 20 when the useris in a backward lying position. In such a backward laying position, theuser 20 may have his/her knee 24 in a bent portion with the upper leg 22bent in relation to the lower leg 26. The carrying case 10 may bepositioned in the user's lap. With the device main section 32 positionedadjacent the user's upper leg 22, it is contemplated that such positionis readily accessible by the user's hands for interaction with devicemain section 32. For example, the user 20 may comfortably type upon akeyboard of the electronic device 30 where the electronic device 30 isin the form of a laptop computer. Moreover, the display screen 36 of thedisplay section 34 may be retained in a position affording the user 20 arelatively good viewing angle extending in a generally upright alignmentor even slightly towards the user 20.

With the cover flap 14 upon the user's upper leg 22 and the electronicdevice 30 being attached to the cover flap 14 with the user 20 in thisposition, however, gravitational effects tend to draw and slide thecarrying case 10 and the electronic device 30 downward towards a waistof the user 20. The particular utilization of the foot strap 56mitigates such undesirable slippage. This is because the foot strap 56provides a reaction force upon the carrying case 10. The particularattachment of the foot strap 56 to the first distal end 40 maintains thecover flap 14 positioned adjacent the lower leg 26 of the user 20 withthe spine 16 folded back over a knee 24 of the user 20.

Moreover, the particular attachment of the foot strap 56 to the firstdistal end 40 is advantageous. This is because with the compartment flap12 positioned upon the user's lower leg 26 this is relatively close indistance to the user's foot 28. In comparison to an attachment of thefoot strap 56 to adjacent the spine 16 of the carrying case 10 forexample, the length foot strap 56 from the user's foot 28 is relativelyshort being attached to the first distal end 40. It is contemplated thatwhere the foot strap 56 is required to be relatively longer in lengthfrom the user's foot 28 there is an increased possibility that thecarrying case 10 may become shifted from its desired positioning uponthe user's lap (i.e., with the cover flap 14 upon the upper leg 22 ofthe user 20). In addition, relatively longer strap lengths may beconsidered cumbersome by the user 20.

As used herein the compartment flap 12 is defined as that portion of thecarrying case 10 which is used to partially enclose the electronicdevice 30 with the carrying case 10 in the closed configuration and towhich the foot strap 56 is attached. As used herein the cover flap 14 isdefined as that portion of the carrying case 10 that is generallydefines a side of the carrying case 10 opposite the compartment flap 12when the carrying case 10 is in a closed configuration to furtherfacilitate enclosure of the electronic device 20. The compartment flap12 and the cover flap 14 generally define the two largest exteriorfacing portions of the carrying case 14 with the carrying case 10 in theclosed configuration.

The compartment flap 12 may further include a pair of side walls 66, 68.The side walls 66, 68 may extend generally orthogonal to the firstinside surface 44 and away from the first outside surface 46 between thefirst interior end 42 and the first distal end 40. The side walls may bedisposed at opposite ends of the compartment flap 12, such as shown. Thecompartment flap 12 may further include an end wall 70 with the firstdistal end 40 being disposed at the end wall 70. The end wall 70 mayalso extend generally orthogonal to the first inside surface 44 and awayfrom the first outside surface 46. While the embodiment shown includesthe side walls, 66, 68 and the end wall 70, the carrying case 10 needonly include the compartment flap 12 and the cover flap 14. Thus, thecarrying case 10 need not be capable of completely enclosing theelectronic device 30, just a portion of it.

The carrying case 10 may further include a spine 16 disposed between thefirst interior end 42 and the second interior end 50. In this regard,the spine 16 is interposed between the compartment flap 12 and the coverflap 14. The spine 16 may be formed of a relatively flexible material.The spine 16 may thus facilitate the compartment flap 14 and the coverflap 14 being hingedly coupled to each other with the spine 16 foldingback upon itself to facilitate the carrying case 10 in the openconfiguration. The carrying case 10 may further include a handle 92. Thehandle 92 may be attached to the spine 16 such as shown.

The side walls 66, 68 and the end wall 70 may be joined with each otherto partially form an enclosure for facilitating the enclosure of theelectronic device 30 within the carrying case 10 with the carrying case10 in the closed configuration. The width of the sides walls 66, 68 andthe end wall 70 may be sized to facilitate the over all thickness of theelectronic device 30 with the carrying case 10 in the closedconfiguration.

The material selection for any combination of the components of thecarrying case 10 may be chosen from any of those known to one ofordinary skill in the art. For examples, the material selection mayinclude a cloth material, leather, and synthetic materials, such as aflexible plastic. Such plastic material may have a woven texture tosimulate an organic cloth material or have a non uniform surface textureto similar leather. Other materials may include hard plastics and evenmetal. The various components of the carrying case 10 may be formed of aflexible material. In this regard, any of such components may deform orflex to facilitate enclosure of the electronic device 30 within thecarrying case 10. It is contemplated that the various components of thecarrying case 10 may be integrally formed. That is, such components maybe formed of a single piece of material having material continuity,rather than an assembly of subcomponents. For example, the compartmentflap 10, the spine 16, and the cover flap 14 may be a single piece ofmaterial.

The first distal end 40 may be attachable to the second distal end 48.In this regard, the carrying case 10 may include a fastener, such as azipper 18, configured to attach first distal end is attachable to thesecond distal end. The zipper 18 may be attached to a periphery of thecover flap 14 and along distal edges of the side walls 66, 68 and theend wall 70.

The device retainers 72, 74 may be a strap. In this regard, the deviceretainers 72, 74 may be positioned in opposite corners of the cover flap14. The device retainers 72, 74 may be looped over corresponding cornersof the device main section 32. The device retainers 72, 74 may be formedof an elastic material to facilitate retention as well as to facilitatea variety of sizing requirements of the electronic device 30. The deviceretainers, 72, 74 may be adjustable in length. It is contemplated thatthe device retainers 72, 74 may be chosen from any of those which arewell known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, retentionof the electronic device 30 may be facilitated through the use of a foldof material integrated with the cover flap 14.

The foot strap 56 may further include a first strap end 58 and a secondstrap end 60 each attached to the first distal end 40. The loop portion62 is disposed between the first and second strap ends 58, 60. The firststrap end 58 may include a first strap fastener 80 and the second strapend 60 may include a second strap fastener 82. The first and secondstrap fasteners 80, 82 may be attached to the first distal end 40. Inthe embodiment shown, the first and second strap fasteners 80, 82 areeach in the form of a detachable clip. First and second strap retainers76, 78 may be attached directly to the first distal end 40. The firstand second strap retainers 76, 78 may take the form of D-shaped linksfor example. The first strap fastener 80 may be attached to the firststrap retainer 76 and the second strap fastener 82 may be attached tothe second strap retainer 78.

The foot strap 56 may be detachable. The carrying case 10 may include adedicated storage compartment 90 that may be sized and configured toenclose the foot strap 56 when not in use. The storage compartment 90may include a fastener such as a zipper as shown.

The foot strap 56 may further include a main body portion 64 disposedbetween the loop portion 62 and the first strap end 58. The main bodyportion 64 may further be disposed between the loop portion 62 and thesecond strap end 60. The main body portion 64 may length adjustable. Inthe embodiment shown, the main body portion 64 may include strapadjusters 84, 86. The strap adjusters 84, 88 are configured to modifythe overall length of the foot strap 56 for positioning of the carryingcase 10 upon the user 20 such as shown.

While the foot strap 56 is shown as being attached to the first distalend 40 at two locations it is contemplated that the foot strap 56 may beattached only at a single location. In this regard, the loop portion 62would be loop back upon and attached to the main body portion 64.

The carrying case 10 may further include a shoulder strap 88 attached toand extending between the side walls 66, 68 adjacent the first interiorend 42 of the compartment flap 12. Alternately, the shoulder strap 88may be attached at opposite ends of the spine 16. Where the shoulderstrap 88 is removable, it is contemplated that the shoulder strap 88 maybe utilized as an alternate form of the foot strap. In this regard, theshoulder strap 88 would first be detached from its anchored position.The shoulder strap 88 would then be reattached to the first distal end40, such as to the strap retainers 76, 88 for example. Next, theshoulder strap 88 would be adjusted in length to facilitate the loopingabout the user's foot 28. Such sizing would be to position the firstoutside surface 46 of the compartment flap 12 upon the lower leg 26 ofthe user 20 and the second outside surface 54 of the cover flap 14 uponthe upper leg 22 of the user 20 with the upper leg 22 bent in relationto the lower leg 26 of the user 22 in a backward lying position.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, there is depicted a carrying case 94according to another embodiment. In this embodiment the carrying case 94takes the form of a shoulder bag or saddle bag. The carrying case 94includes a compartment flap 96, a cover flap 98, and a spine 100disposed between the compartment flap 96 and the cover flap 98.

The compartment flap 96 includes a first distal end 102 and an opposingfirst interior end 104. The compartment flap 96 further includes a firstinside surface 106 and an opposing first outside surface 108 eachdisposed between the first distal end 102 and the first interior end104. The cover flap 98 includes a second distal end 110 and an opposingsecond interior end 112. The cover flap 98 further includes a secondinside surface 114 and an opposing second outside surface 116 eachdisposed between the second distal end 110 and the second interior end112. The carrying case 94 may include side walls 128, 130 and an endwall 132 that extend orthogonal to the first inside surface 106 and awayfrom the first outside surface 108 between the first interior end 104and the first distal end 102.

The carrying case 94 further includes a foot strap 118. The foot strap118 is sized with the loop portion 124 about the foot 28 of the user 20to position the first outside surface 108 of the compartment flap 96upon the lower leg 26 of the user 20 and the second outside surface 116of the cover flap 98 upon the upper leg 22 of the user 20 with the upperleg 22 bent in relation to the lower leg 26 of the user 20 in a backwardlying position, such as shown.

The foot strap 118 may include a first strap end 120 and an opposingsecond strap end 112. The foot strap 118 includes a loop portion 124. Amain body portion 126 is disposed between the loop portion 124 and thefirst strap end 120 and between the loop portion 124 and the secondstrap end 122. The carrying case 94 may further include device retainers134, 136. The device retainers 134, 136 facilitate positioning of thedevice main portion 32 against the cover flap 98. Strap retainers 138,140 may be attached to the end wall 132 at the first distal end 102. Thefoot strap 118 may further include strap fasteners 142, 144 respectivelyat the first and second strap ends 120, 122. The strap fasteners 142,144 are respectively attached to the strap retainers 138, 140. The footstrap 94 may include strap adjusters 146, 148 sized and configured toadjust an overall length of the main body portion 126 of the foot strap118.

This description of the various embodiments of the present invention ispresented to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, and other inventive concepts may be otherwise variouslyembodied and employed. The appended claims are intended to be construedto include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

1. A carrying case for enclosing an electronic device for use by a user,the electronic device including a device main section and a displaysection, the carrying case comprising: a compartment flap including afirst distal end, an opposing first interior end, a first inside surfacedisposed between the first distal end and the first interior end, and afirst outside surface disposed opposite the first inside surface; acover flap including a second distal end, an opposing second interiorend, a second inside surface disposed between the second distal end andthe second interior end, and a second outside surface disposed oppositethe first inside surface, the cover flap hingedly coupled to thecompartment flap with the first interior end adjacent the secondinterior end; a device retainer attached to the cover flap, the deviceretainer being sized and configured to retain the device main section atthe second inside surface with the device main section between thesecond distal end and the display section; and a foot strap attached tothe first distal end of the compartment flap, the foot strap including aloop portion, the foot strap being sized with the loop portion about afoot of the user to position the first outside surface of thecompartment flap upon a lower leg of the user and the second outsidesurface of the cover flap upon an upper leg of the user with the upperleg bent in relation to the lower leg of the user in a backward lyingposition.
 2. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein the foot strap furtherincludes a first strap end attached to the first distal end.
 3. Thecarrying case of claim 2 wherein the foot strap further includes asecond strap end attached to the first distal end, the loop portionbeing disposed between the first and second strap ends.
 4. The carryingcase of claim 2 wherein the first strap end includes a first strapfastener, the first strap fastener being attached to the first distalend.
 5. The carrying case of claim 4 wherein the first strap fastener isa clip.
 6. The carrying case of claim 2 wherein the foot strap furtherincludes a main body portion disposed between the loop portion and thefirst strap end.
 7. The carrying case of claim 6 wherein the main bodyportion is length adjustable.
 8. The carrying case of claim 1 whereinthe compartment flap further includes an end wall, the first distal endbeing disposed at the end wall.
 9. The carrying case of claim 8 whereinthe end wall extends generally orthogonal to the first inside surfaceand away from the first outside surface.
 10. The carrying case of claim1 wherein the first distal end is attachable to the second distal end.11. The carrying case of claim 10 further includes a zipper configuredto attach the first distal end to the second distal end.
 12. Thecarrying case of claim 1 wherein the device retainer is a strap.
 13. Thecarrying case of claim 1 wherein the compartment flap further includes apair of side walls each extending generally orthogonal to the firstinside surface and away from the first outside surface between the firstinterior end and the first distal end, the side walls being disposed atopposite ends of the compartment flap.
 14. The carrying case of claim 12further includes a shoulder strap attached to and extending between theside walls.
 15. The carrying case of claim 1 further comprising: a spinedisposed between the first interior end and the second interior end; anda handle attached to the spine.